A Sudanese man, in his 20s or early 30s, slipped as he tried to get underneath a train inside the high-security zone surrounding the undersea link in the early hours. Pictured, migrants scale the fence

A second man suffered horrifying burns after being electrocuted as tried to get on to the roof of a London-bound Eurostar train at the Gare du Nord in Paris. Pictured, migrants walk along a railway track in Calais

The escalating crisis has led to calls for the army to be drafted in to help search vehicles coming into Britain for stowaways

There have now been eleven deaths in less than two months, as increasingly desperate migrants (some pictured in Coquelles) take more risks to get to Britain

More than 2,000 migrants stormed the Tunnel on Tuesday, and ‘more intrusions were expected for the foreseeable future’, said the police source.

As CRS riot police and other security staff fought running battles with those who had torn down security fencing, more migrants poured in.

‘It takes hours to catch them, and a significant number gets through to Britain,’ said the source, referring to those who claim asylum or slip into the black economy when they get to the UK.

Lorries queued during Operation Stack along both M20 carriageways in Ashford, Kent, today

Home Secretary Theresa May called for an urgent security review, following a meeting of the Cobra civil contingency committee.

Both she and her French opposite number, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, have pledged to pour millions more pounds into increasing security, but the problems continue to grow.

There have now been eleven deaths in less than two months, as increasingly desperate migrants take more risks to get to Britain.

Most have been killed after climbing on the top of trains, walking along busy motorways, or falling into water.

As 120 extra riot police were drafted into Calais, there was confirmation that an Egyptian touched an electric pylon as he tried to get on board a high speed Eurostar train to London from Paris.

‘He suffered severe burns at the Gare du Nord and was left in a coma,’ said a source close to the investigation, who said the unidentified man was in the intensive care unit of a Paris hospital and in a 'critical condition'.

Referring to the migrants, police union spokesman Gilles Debove said: ‘They have nothing to lose, they have travelled thousands of killometers and they are ready to die on the last stretch if necessary.’

Delays to rail services of up to five hours were reported at the weekend, as thousands of migrants took advantage of the gridlock to try and get aboard lorries heading to the UK.

The chaos has been made work by striking French seamen who regularly disrupt train and ferry services in a dispute over job losses.

There are currently some 5,000 illegal migrants in the French port and they use any opportunity they can to get to the UK.

As the French government accused Eurotunnel, the Tunnel operator, of not doing enough, the company insisted it had stopped 37,000 migrants from getting to the UK this year alone.

It hit back at suggestions made by Mr Cazeneuve that it had slashed security staff by two thirds since 2013.

A migrant helps another man through the small gap in the fence in the hope they will be able to cross over

There are currently some 5,000 illegal migrants in the French port and they use any opportunity they can to get to the UK

Eurotunnel said that since the arrival of migrants in the area around Calais, it has in physical resources - fences, cameras, infra-red detectors - and personnel

French gendarmes flush migrants out of their hiding spot near the Eurotunnel terminal in Calais. A migrant died trying to cross to Britain from France early on Wednesday as another 1,500 stormed the terminals

Migrants walk near the road where lorries pass after they left their hiding spot at the Eurotunnel site

Migrants lay on the grass along a road near the Eurotunnel channel tunnel in Coquelles, near Calais

Taking their chances: A Eurotunnel security car follows a group of migrants near the terminal in Calais late on Tuesday as another 1,500 refugees stormed the Channel Tunnel overnight in a bid to reach Britain

'Civil emergency': The escalating crisis has led to calls from UKIP leader Nigel Farage for the army to be drafted in to help search vehicles coming into Britain for illegal immigrants

The company, which made the equivalent of £71million net profit in 2013, said it had spent some £9million on improving security, including fitting new fencing, lighting and cameras.

It said in a statement: ‘The pressure we are now under every night exceeds that which an operator can reasonably handle, and calls for an appropriate reaction from’ France and Britain.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage told LBC: 'In all civil emergencies like this we have an army, we have a bit of a TA and we have a very very overburdened police force and border agency.

'If in a crisis to make sure we've actually got the manpower to check lorries coming in to stop people illegally coming to Britain if in those circumstances we can use the army or other forces then why not.'

His calls were backed by Don Armour, the head of international affairs at the Freight Transport Association.

He BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight programme: 'They're trained and they would know what to do. It may not be the way forward that would be approved.

'But perhaps it could be one of a number of solutions that the government might like to consider because we could be talking about people's lives.'

Eurotunnel revealed the scale of the problem as it came under increased pressure to do more to deal with the crisis.

Businesses of all sizes in Kent have united to call for the issue to be dealt with quickly as they struggle to receive supplies and welcome visitors following Operation Stack (pictured, lorries queued on the M20)

Kent County Council estimates the impact on the county's economy is around £1.5 million a day, and that there needs to be intervention from government and Highways England

A driver climbs on his truck as he waits to cross the English channel, in Calais, northern France

Trucks blocked at the entrance to the Eurotunnel in Coquelles. French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said today that 120 additional police officers would be sent to Calais to secure the Eurotunnel site

Gridlock: Lorries queued as part of Operation Stack along the north and southbound carriageways of the M20 in Ashford, Kent, following a migrant death in the latest incursion on the Channel Tunnel in Calais

ADVICE FOR TRAVELLERS HOPING TO CROSS THE CHANNEL

TRAINS

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle warned it was operating with a 'disrupted timetable' due to 'migrant activity overnight.'

As of 3pm, services were running with delays of 90 minutes from Calais and up to two hours from Folkestone.

Long queues of lorries were also hampering access to the terminal.

'Travelling from France, access to our passenger terminal is congested by lorries. Don't queue up with trucks,' the firm warned.

Ticket-holders whose trains were cancelled are entitled to up to £150 to pay for a hotel room and £50 for food.

FERRIES

P&O Ferries between Dover and Calais are running to schedule, with spaces available.

DFDS Seaways services between Dover and Dunkirk/ Dover and Calais are running on time, but the firms advises travellers to allow extra time to check in.

CARS

There are traffic jams on the M20 and surrounding roads. Police have put Operation Stack in place, diverting non-freight traffic onto the A20 and using parts of the motorway for lorries queuing to get into the port.

A spokesman for Groupe Eurotunnel, which manages and operates the Channel Tunnel, said that since the arrival of migrants in the area around Calais, it has invested more than €160million (£113m), including €13 million (£9.2m) in the first six months of 2015, in physical resources - fences, cameras, infra-red detectors - and personnel.

He added: 'These considerable investments have already been followed in the second half of the year with new fencing around the platforms. Security patrol staff has been doubled to reach 200 employees, including sniffer dog patrols.

'To support the efforts of law enforcement in the Calais area, Eurotunnel has also provided buses to the authorities to enable them to remove any migrants intercepted.'

The spokesman also said that Eurotunnel has kept the Intergovernmental Commission for the Channel Tunnel and authorities informed, over several months, about the 'explosion' in the number of migrants present in Calais.

He added: 'Since 1 January 2015, Eurotunnel has, using its own resources, discretely intercepted more than 37,000 migrants, who have been handed over to the law enforcement authorities, and has registered thousands of complaints, all of which have been filed with no further action by the procureur (legal official) of the court in Boulogne.

'The continuous pressure exerted every night is above and beyond that which a concessionaire can reasonably handle and requires a constructive and appropriate response from the governments.

'In this context, Eurotunnel and its employees, who hold to their task despite the psychological pressure that weighs on them, continue to guarantee a rapid and safe Channel crossing for its millions of customers.'

Labour MP Keith Vaz, who chairs the Home Affairs Select Committee, said he had witnessed 148 migrants successfully make the journey illegally to England yesterday.

Mr Vaz said Britain and France need to work together to solve the problem and he commended the Government for committing funds.

Another 1,500 migrants – including one found dead – stormed the Channel Tunnel overnight. These migrants were pictured walking along tracks at the Eurotunnel terminal in Calais-Frethun on Tuesday

At least 2,200 illegal migrants tried to storm the Channel Tunnel in a bid to reach Britain from France on Monday. Picturd are migrants walking on the side of the railroad as they try to reach a shuttle to Britain

In one of the worst security breaches in the history of the undersea link, huge gangs broke through security fencing in Calais in the early hours of Tuesday

NOW THE FRENCH HAVE THEIR SAY: CALLS TO BLOCKADE LIBYAN COAST AS THEY BLAME BRITAIN FOR ALLOWING MIGRANTS TO WORK HERE ILLEGALLY

A French politician today accused Britain of fuelling the migrant crisis in Calais by allowing refugees to work illegally.

Xavier Bertrand, right, called for a blockade of the North African coast where most migrants start their journeys across the Mediterranean.

And he demanded the UK take its share of responsibility.

He also repeated calls for the English border to be moved to Dover, not Calais.

The former minister for labour, employment and health and candidate for Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie in regional elections this year, said: 'In Calais, it's a human drama which is taking place every day.

'Only a naval blockade at the Libyan coast could provide a solution.

'The UK has responsibility in this matter too, England allows these migrants to work without papers.

'The English border must be at Dover and not Calais.'

Natacha Bouchart, mayor of Calais, has called for a summit involving ministers from France and Britain, Eurotunnel, the ports, and the municipality of Calais.

Ms Bouchart previously said Britain was 'attracting' migrants as it had a 'much more favourable' benefits system.

'You have a much more favourable regime in Britain than in other European countries,' the mayor said.

But he told BBC News: 'At the end of the day, I'm afraid, sending an extra 140 police officers into Calais is not going to solve the problem.

'Every single day more than 1,500 migrants are trying to storm the Channel Tunnel into the freight area.

'I went to Kent yesterday and I saw 148 of them who had made the journey and who were delighted because they had been successful in coming here, having evaded all this security, they actually managed to come here so unless you do two things we are not going to solve this crisis.'

Mr Vaz said migrants need to be returned to their country origin once they have no right to stay in France, adding the EU has a responsibility to help Greece and Italy by stopping people crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa.

He also said migrants want to come to Britain as they believe they can work illegally.

Meanwhile, businesses of all sizes in Kent have united to call for the issue to be dealt with quickly as they struggle to receive supplies and welcome visitors.

Some firms in the area are also reporting huge falls in customers as Operation Stack causes queues of traffic to form outside their businesses.

Kent County Council estimates the impact on the county's economy is around £1.5 million a day, and that there needs to be intervention from government and Highways England.

A police source revealed that about two hundred security staff, including riot police were drafted in to deal with the trouble

The incident is said to have lasted for about six hours from midnight on Monday. Migrants are pictured gathering near the terminal in Calais

Conservative MP for Folkestone, Damian Collins, said: 'This investment is very welcome, it doesn't address the whole problem. It's partly an issue of enforcement from French authorities.

'They have allowed people willingly to break into the Channel Tunnel site. I can't believe they would be that lax in protecting an airport or another sensitive facility.

'But that has happened constantly throughout the summer. They have to enforce their own restrictions.'

He added that while the UK had a role to play, it is fundamentally French territory and that the French government needs to put more of its resources into the tunnel and the port.

Meanwhile, lorry drivers caught up in the Calais delays will be allowed to drive for longer and rest for a shorter amount time, the Government has said.

The temporary relaxation of EU rules means they will be limited to driving 11 hours a day rather than nine hours, with the daily rest requirement cut from 11 hours to nine hours.

The changes come into force from 12:01am on Thursday, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.

They will run for 30 days at the times when Operation Stack is in place, the department added.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones announced the move after an emergency Cobra meeting was held in response to the migrant crisis in Calais.

Tory frontbencher Mr Jones said: "We have listened to the concerns of hard-working lorry drivers who are suffering as a result of this disruption and are doing everything we can to help.

'This temporary relaxation of the rules around driver hours is a targeted, temporary measure, to make it easier for people passing through Kent in the course of cross-Channel journeys.'

The DfT confirmed the temporary rules apply to drivers who are transporting goods and/or passengers whose journeys are affected by the disruption in Calais.

They added the also apply to drivers of commercial vehicles operated by Kent-based firms.

According to French media, the migrant is the ninth to be killed at the tunnel since the start of June, and is believed to be a Sudanese national aged in his late 20s.

Xavier Bertrand, former minister for labour, employment and health and candidate for Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie in regional elections this year, said: 'In Calais, it's a human drama which is taking place every day.

'Only a naval blockade at the Libyan coast could provide a solution.

'The UK has responsibility in this matter too, England allows these migrants to work without papers. The English border must be at Dover and not Calais.'

A Eurotunnel spokesman was quoted by France 24 as saying all the company's security staff - about 200 people - were used to prevent the intrusions into the site which largely took place between midnight and 6am.

Natacha Bouchart, mayor of Calais, has called for a summit involving ministers from France and Britain, Eurotunnel, the ports, and the municipality of Calais.

Ms Bouchart previously said Britain was 'attracting' migrants as it had a 'much more favourable' benefits system.

'You have a much more favourable regime in Britain than in other European countries,' the mayor said.

A spokesman for the Pas de Calais prefecture called the incident a 'very serious breach' and promised a 'full investigation'

The breack comes as Home Secretary Theresa May announced that Britain had agreed to provide an extra £7million towards efforts to tackle the Calais migrant crisis

THERESA MAY ANNOUNCES £7MILLION SECURITY BOOST AND PLANS TO DEPORT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BACK TO THEIR HOME COUNTRIES

Britain has agreed to provide an extra £7million towards efforts to tackle the Calais migrant crisis, Theresa May has announced.

The money will be used to step up security at the Channel Tunnel railhead in Coquelles.

Earlier this week it was reported that police were being called to the terminal, which is close to Calais, on a nightly basis to deal with incursions by hundreds of migrants.

The Home Secretary disclosed the extra funding following a meeting between British and French officials to discuss the continuing disruption.

She said: 'We've had a very constructive meeting. The French and UK governments are working in close collaboration and cooperation on this issue which affects us both.

Britain has agreed to provide an extra £7million towards efforts to tackle the Calais migrant crisis, Theresa May (pictured) has announced

'We are both clear that we need to ensure we are dealing with the terrible criminal gangs, the people smugglers, who are making a profit out of the human misery of many people.'

Mrs May said French authorities have committed extra resources to security at Calais.

Asked why British taxpayers should be paying for a problem taking place on French soil, she said: 'We have juxtaposed controls at the border. We work together on dealing with this particular problem.'

The Home Secretary said she was 'very aware' of the impact of the crisis on lorry drivers, those affected by delays and the people of Kent.

An excerpt from a communique following yesterday's conference said: 'The UK and France agree it is vital we deal with the continuous migration of people from countries of origin.

'Both countries have agreed to work together on returning migrants to their countries of origin, particularly in West Africa.'

Earlier this month the Home Secretary announced that a new secure zone will be created at Calais for UK-bound lorries in response to an unprecedented surge in migrants attempting to cross the Channel.

The area will cost around €2million (£1.4 million) and is expected to be complete in the autumn.

Last autumn the Government pledged £12m to help France tackle the problem of illegal immigrants attempting to cross the Channel.

The migrant crisis has escalated in recent months, with thousands displaced from countries including Eritrea, Syria and Afghanistan setting up camp near the port.

At least 2,200 illegal migrants also tried to storm the Channel Tunnel on Monday night in a bid to reach Britain from France.

In one of the worst security breaches in the history of the undersea link, huge gangs broke through security fencing in Calais in the early hours.

A French police source described the scenes as 'absolute pandemonium', adding: 'They were pouring in through holes in the fencing and clinging on to Eurotunnel trains.'

Two of the illegal migrants were taken to hospital in Calais after being hit by high speed trains as they tried to get through the Tunnel.

The first, a 35-year-old originally from Sudan, was 'seriously injured' at around 4.30am on Monday.

His fellow countrymen, aged 32, fell under a train, and also suffered wounds to the head, upper body and arms.

A graphic showing how the migrant camp in Calais is just a few hundred metres from the ferry and Eurotunnel terminals, giving asylum seekers prime position to try to sneak into Britain

Seven other migrants had to be saved from drowning at around the same time, after falling into a concrete water collection basin near the Tunnel entrance.

The chaos has been made worse by striking French seamen who regularly disrupt train and ferry services in a dispute over job losses.

There are currently some 5,000 illegal migrants in the French port, and they use any opportunity they can to get to the UK.

Transport chiefs have estimated that Britain's freight industry is losing some £750,000 a day because of the problems.

British holidaymakers have also been given an official warning to avoid Calais after militant French workers fired a distress flare at a ferry.

French farmers have also brought roads to a standstill with a series of protests over falling food prices, including spraying manure at cars.

Britons heading back to this country were urged to find an alternative route home.

Anyone who had to travel through the French port was told to keep their vehicle doors locked because of the 'large number of illegal migrants' trying to reach the UK.

CHAOS AT CALAIS BRINGS ISSUE OF MIGRANTS INTO SHARP FOCUS

What are the issues?

For years, the name Sangatte represented the contrast between the decadence and splendour of France's capital, and the destitute communes which became home to refugees at the gateway to Britain.

The camps at Sangatte, which overlooked the Channel, were closed in 2002 after riots. Although the camps and the name are long gone, the problem of refugees remains.

For years migrants have camped out near the port of Calais, hoping to get to Britain in search of a better life.

But after strikes by French ferry workers caused the closure of the Channel Tunnel the situation descended into chaos, with migrants openly trying to board lorries bound for the UK as they wait to cross the Channel.

The latest act of desperation saw 2,000 migrants attempt to storm the Channel tunnel on Monday night and become stowaways. Those who didn't find a vehicle would have faced a day-long pilgrimage to Britain.

It prompted Home Secretary Theresa May to pledge £7 million to tackle the Calais migrant crisis.

The latest act of desperation saw 2,000 migrants attempt to storm the Channel tunnel on Monday night and become stowaways

Why do they want to come to the UK in the first place?

The promise of a better life in Britain - and a chance of education, employment and safety - is what has driven many people from their homes in the first place.

The huge camps at Calais are part of a wider migration crisis in Europe, caused largely by a widespread displacement of people from war-torn countries such as Eritrea, Syria and Afghanistan, where people are fleeing hunger, civil war and political instability.

Many migrants are also coming from North Africa, making the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean - journeys often organised by criminal gangs and people-traffickers - to Italy.

The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) believes this route is the biggest threat to increased illegal immigration - use of the route rose by more than 300% in 2014 and is set to increase. It is estimated that more than 1,600 people have drowned so far this year trying to make the crossing.

What is the situation doing for Anglo-French relations?

Britain and France appear to be at loggerheads over how to deal with the issue.

David Cameron called the scenes at Calais which led to the Channel Tunnel being shut recently 'totally unacceptable', but said it was important to work with the French and there was 'no point either side trying to point the finger of blame'.

The British Government's offer of more funds to tackle the problem will have gone some way to soothing any tensions between the two nations, and an admission the burden is shared.

Mrs May said: 'We've had a very constructive meeting. The French and UK governments are working in close collaboration and cooperation on this issue which affects us both.'

The promise of a better life in Britain - and a chance of education, employment and safety - is what has driven many people from their homes in the first place

What about the wider migrant crisis?

According to the Home Office there have been 39,000 attempts to cross the Channel by migrants in the year to April 2015, more than twice the 18,000 attempts detected in the 12 months to April 2014.

The growing issue has prompted action, with the Government saying it is keen to stop the problem at source by breaking the link between travelling to Europe by boat and gaining settlement in Europe, and to smash the work of the organised gangs and people-traffickers.

The Eurotunnel attempted security breach brought in to sharp focus the extent of the problems.

A spokesman for Eurotunnel said: 'This is an issue that is a really for the Government to sort out. We need them to stop the migrant flow from Calais but it appears to be too much for them to handle.

'It was the freight terminal and there was some damage to our fences - which we'll have to repair - as they tried to board shuttles. Fortunately, there wasn't any damage to shuttles. Unfortunately, a number of people were injured.'

He added: 'It is an almost nightly occurrence - we're trying to run a travel business here.'

Advertisement

Share or comment on this article:

Extra riot police drafted in to protect Eurotunnel from 1000s of migrants